CH 7

Chapter - 7 || I'm Looking Forward To Working With You

Even if I am unable to say anything, my mother would ask Rudolf-sama first.

"Rudolf-sama, I know it is rude of me to ask you this, but please forgive me. Is your proposal of marriage out of sympathy for Elvira, whose betrothal was broken off?

Or is it a political ambition to win over Elvira, a potential threat to this country?"

"Neither."

"I have liked you for a very long time, Elvira."

Then he narrowed his eyes a little sadly.

"But when we met, you were already engaged."

Rudolf-sama liked me?

No way.

I couldn't wrap head around it, and kept my face in amazement.

Rudolf-sama looked into my face.

I couldn't stop my own face from turning red.

"Still, I think I've seen a lot of you."

I wanted to ask when, but Rudolf-sama was too close for me to open my mouth.

He finally pulled away when my father cleared his throat.

But his gaze was still fixed on me.

"You're working hard to become a saint, Elvira, and you're doing your best to educate as the queen.

You were always trying your best, and you were always positive. More than once, I have wished that I could walk beside you like that."

My father said in a low voice,

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Yes."

I could see that my mother and father had spoken to each other with their eyes.

Both of them stood up and bowed to Rudolf-sama.

"Rudolf-sama, take care of my daughter."

"'Father, mother!"

I sat up, but I didn't know what to do.

Rudolf-sama smiled.

"Don't worry, Lady Elvira. I promise I won't lay a finger on you until you've made up your mind."

"What?"

What does that mean?

My father and mother seemed surprised.

"You just broke up with your long-time fiancé today, didn't you? I would have liked to give you a little more time for you to understand my feelings. However, I can't afford to be complacent right now."

He muttered slowly.

"There is danger looming over me, isn't there...?"

I hate to admit it, but it probably is.

Rudolf-sama agreed, emphatically.

"Undoubtedly, your life will be threatened if you continue like this. If you come to the Zomer Empire as my fiancée, I can guarantee you more security than a monastery."

"So," said Master Ludolf, looking straight at me.

"I promise that I will not touch you until your heart is set on me."

I was more than a little touched by Rudolf-sama's sincere attitude.

My mother asked,

"What would happen if Elvira did not feel the same way about Rudolf-sama for the rest of her life?"

"She will never be touched."

My father nodded, as if relieved.

My mother said to me,

"Elvira, we will do as Rudolf-sama says. Your father and I want to make sure that you are happy and safe."

"But..."

When I hesitated, Rudolf-sama said, 

"I took the trouble to tell you how I feel, because I wanted you to know that I am happy enough just to have you by my side."

"Rudolf-sama..."

"You are near me. In return, let me protect you."

I can't believe that you feel that way.

But it is certainly best to let Rudolf-sama take advantage of me for now.

I wish there was at least something I could do to help in the Zomer Empire, but that's something I'll have to think about later.

For now, I had to make a decision as soon as possible.

I bowed perfectly and said to Rudolf-sama, "I know I'm not very good at this, but I look forward to working with you."

"Ah! Thank you, Elvira!"

Rudolf-sama said, even though I was the one who should be thanking him.

—On the other hand.

"That's not what you said! I was engaged to Natalia because I wanted Elvira to do the queen's work!"

In the room that had been emptied of people, King Alexander was yelling at the High Priestess.

The High Priestess said in an auspicious manner,

"I'm sorry. I did not expect Elvira to refuse, either... You must have been very unhappy with Natalia."

"No, of course not! No matter what Natalia did, Elvira always cleaned up after her."

"If she had any complaints, she never expressed them."

"She's a boring woman. She should be more like Natalia, and I should be able to know it when I see it."

"You're right."

Even as she followed, the High Priestess was inwardly sneering at the young king.

As a queen, calmness and composure were her weapons, but to denigrate them?

It is precisely because he is such a king that he is easy to deal with.

"But what about that?"

Alexander asked with some concern.

"What's that?"

"Even if she's a saint, if she does anything to harm the country, I won't forgive her."

The high priest laughed.

"Don't worry. Saints are just decorations. It doesn't matter who is praying. Above all, the knights are doing their best to protect the country. 

Unlike the saints who are just decorations, they are just putting their lives on the line."

Alexander said, relieved,

"Then, tomorrow, go to Elvira and convince her to be the queen's assistant again. If she doesn't want to, force her to come with you. 

If you take some of your best men and use the duke and duchess as shields, she will come quietly. Natalia alone would be a hindrance to our operations."

"Yes."

The High Priestess agreed.

"I'm sure Elvira will reflect on what she has done in the course of the night."

"Yes, and she will be more devoted to you than ever. It's all God's way of making things happen."

"Oh."

King Alexander nodded his head in satisfaction.

—But then.

Deep in the mountains, where no one ever sets foot.

I felt a disturbing presence.